"Dear Steve, I saw a patient this morning with your book [in hand] and highlights throughout. She loves it and finds it very useful to help her in dealing with atrial fibrillation."

Dr. Wilber Su,Cavanaugh Heart Center, Phoenix, AZ

"...masterful. You managed to combine an encyclopedic compilation of information with the simplicity of presentation that enhances the delivery of the information to the reader. This is not an easy thing to do, but you have been very, very successful at it."

Ira David Levin, heart patient, Rome, Italy

"Within the pages of Beat Your A-Fib, Dr. Steve Ryan, PhD, provides a comprehensive guide for persons seeking to find a cure for their Atrial Fibrillation."

Walter Kerwin, MD, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Alternative Remedies and Patients’ Tips for A-Fib Symptoms

By Steve S. Ryan, PhD, Updated April 5, 2017

A-Fib.com readers and fellow A-Fib patients have shared these alternative treatments that have worked for them. They may work for you too.

Homeopathic Remedies:Diane Willis wrote she is being treated by a chiropractor, that she is on a “raw” diet, and is involved in the spiritual healing community. She isn’t sure the Unda remedies were the one thing that stopped her A-Fib. “Although I personally feel that Unda was a leading contributor.” Email: Diane Willis docflute (at) gerf.org.

Acupuncture/Acupressure:A 2010 study found acupuncture prevents arrhythmic recurrence after cardioversion in patients with persistent A-Fib. The article identified the acupuncture points to be stimulated.

• Bente Strong writes, “The Vagus nerve is central to digestive systems and the upper chambers of the heart. Keeping that area – the neck and thoracic (upper) region of the spine – open, aligned and flexible, clearly helps. I first discovered this after 3 days and nights of non-stop A-Fib, which went away for most of the next ten days after an adjustment. I now get a chiropractic adjustment every 2 weeks and frequently lie on my back across an exercise ball in order to stretch and adjust myself as best I can.” Email: bente_l(at)msn.com

• James writes, “After years with A-Fib (and some better results with some of Steve’s suggested supplements over meds), I still suffered from PACs. But after one chiropractic neck adjustment and some home tips to stay in line, the PACs have disappeared. I’ve been free of them for 2 months now. I believe the spine is the answer for me.” Email hwkmn05(at)hotmail.com

Patients Tips for Temporary Relief

The following tips may provide temporary relief from A-Fib attacks or they may not work at all for your A-Fib. Try them at your discretion.

• Moderate or intense exercise. For some types of A-Fib, moderate exercise may sometimes bring you out of an A-Fib attack. For others, exercise may trigger or increase an A-Fib attack. (Consider using a ‘runner’s heart monitor’ to track your heartbeat; available from sporting goods stores.) Short Maximum Intensity Exercise Stops My A-Fib.

• ‘A-Fibber in California’ also wrote about exercise: “I usually have A-Fib episodes once a week for anywhere from 10 hours to 24 hours. I wondered if after warming up, if my doing a short bout of maximum intensity exercise, 60 seconds all-out, on my stationary bike, if that would stop an A-Fib episode?…Yes. It worked!… Read more about what worked for him.

• Also about exercise: Ian writes: “I have had paroxysmal A-Fib for 6 years. I’m a 49-year-old male. I can bring myself back to a normal sinus rhythm by going for a run up a steep hill near my home. It’s not necessarily a pleasant experience, but has been successful 100% of the time. Once I’m back into rhythm, I can either continue on a run or head back home to get on with the day. ” ian.ph(at)hotmail.com

Carolyn Greer writes about her experience with cold. “I’ve had intermittent A-Fib for three years. To return to sinus I’ve been successful in 5 of the last 7 episodes by doing the following, ideally on an empty stomach. Drink more than a quart of ice cold water as quickly as possible, then take a long cold shower. I take 5 sips, rest the throat for a few seconds, then 5 more, etc. Within minutes to an hour I’ve returned to sinus. Drinking through a straw from the container of water with lots of ice is easier than drinking from a glass.”

• Laying down and trying to relax in a darkened room.

• A-Fib is sometimes triggered by body position—lying or leaning on the left side. Lying on one’s back and relaxing the chest may help terminate A-Fib episodes triggered by lying on the left side.

• Putting one’s head between one’s legs and deep breathing.

• One person writes that eating something very spicy restores his sinus rhythm, though half the time the effect is temporary. (Spicy food stimulates nerves in the stomach which in turn can influence atrial nerves.) Unfortunately in some people it may also provoke A-Fib.

• Warren writes, “When I wake at night and realize I am in A-Fib, I take a deep breath and squeeze my chest (constrict my pecs), and it stops.”

• Marjorie writes, “A thump with my fist on my chest will get me back into rhythm most times. (I A-Fib mostly after a meal or from walking up a long flight of stairs.)”

• Bruce writes that he converts himself by drinking either a quart of Gator-Aide, or 8 oz. of No-Salt V8 which he combines with 600 mg of magnesium (No-Salt V8 has 800 mg of potassium). He then takes 5 mg of Valium and goes to bed. 60% of the time he wakes up in sinus rhythm. Lying on the right side also helps.

Send in Your Tips

Have some advice to pass on to others with A-Fib? Something that’s working to lessen your A-Fib symptoms, or reduce your frequency or duration of your episodes? Perhaps some ‘Lessons learned the hard way’?

Why not share it with others? Take a few minutes and send me an email about it. Short or long, your tip offers insights that can help others.

Disclaimer: the authors of this Web site are not medical doctors and are not affiliated with any medical school or organization. The information on this site is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Nothing contained in this service is intended to be for medical diagnosis or treatment.